Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Best sites if your time is limited
The
Rhone
is always the 'must do' dive, but it can be a bit advanced in some condi-
tions. To take in great color and marine life with more consistent conditions, try the
Indians off Norman Island.
Favorite 'secret' spots
I love Thumb Rock and Devils Kitchen on Cooper Island. The boulders that create
Thumb Rock are great places to look for nurse shark, eel, lobster and passing rays.
Devils Kitchen has a fascinating ledge to swim under and the colors of the rock wall
are a brilliant red color (hence the name).
Cooper Island
Lying about 4 miles southeast of Tortola, Cooper Island is a moderately hilly cay and is
virtually undeveloped except for the Cooper Island Beach Club on Manchioneel Bay. The
inlet has a long, narrow beach that is sheltered from the easterly trade winds; this protection
and the club's restaurant make it a popular anchorage for cruising yachts.
Cooper offers superb snorkeling off Cistern Point, a rocky peninsula surrounded by
coral-covered ledges and multihued fish.
Sail Caribbean
(
www.sailcaribbeandivers.com
)
has a full-service dive shop on the island that also rents
kayaks, sailboards and sunfish sailboats.
Don't forget to say hello to the wild goats wandering the beachy paths.
Sleeping & Eating
Cooper Island Beach Club
HOTEL $$
( 284-495-9084, 800-542-4624;
www.cooper-island.com
;
cottage $250; closed
Sep)
It's not really a 'club' at all, but a casual property where it's just fine to be barefoot.
The handful of bright cottages each have one king bed or two twin beds, a kitchenette, bal-
cony and open-air shower. Solar panels provide 70% of the electricity and heat the water.
Ceiling fans keep you cool at night.
